Friday, March 25, 2011

Please feel free to share the following on your blogs. It is a summary of our adoption journey so far. Please help us spread the word. We are hoping somehow someone will be able to help us.

Two years ago Greg and I began praying for God to do whatever he wanted with our lives. We handed him a “blank check” so to speak, and told him to cash it. He opened our eyes to children with disabilities wasting away across the ocean in Eastern Europe. We joined God and started our adoption journey.

Our family is more than equipped to handle a child with special needs. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education. I am a member of the Board of Directors of Best Buddies of Alabama. I have volunteered for RISE and Eagles’ Wings. All of these organizations serve individuals with special needs. My husband I have close friends and family who have special needs and we are a big part of each other’s lives. Our wedding party included some of these special people. Our involvement with individuals with special needs led us to adopt a child with special needs; specifically, we chose Down Syndrome.

As we prayed over the faces of thousands of orphaned children with Down Syndrome, we ultimately chose a little boy named Sergey from Russia. Eight months later, as we neared the finish line of our adoption, one of Sergey’s family members in Russia stepped forward to adopt him. We were heartbroken for our loss, but God showed us that we were following him, and his ways are perfect. We knew we still wanted to adopt, so the way we saw it, two children would find homes because of our journey…Sergey went to his family and now we would choose another child to come into our family. We took great comfort in knowing that God could see this when we first committed to Sergey! We were honored to be a part of his plan.

Shortly after losing Sergey, we received a new referral with a grainy photo of a four-year-old blond-haired boy wearing pink glasses named Kirill. We were instantly in love with him. We had to re-file a lot of our paperwork because of the change in referrals and regions of Russia, but we were fast and we thought we were looking at three more months at the most until we would have Kirill home.

That was well over a year ago.

Since then so many things have happened. A tragic story of an adoptive mother sending her child back to his country alone on a plane with a note pinned to his shirt rocked our world…he was from Russia. Adoptions in Russia came to a screeching halt. Kirill’s region stopped processing adoptions for eight long months. The judge refused to accept any Amercian adoption cases until an official treaty was signed between the United States and Russia.

Even though we wouldn’t be able to finalize the adoption in court until the treaty was signed, we were allowed to go visit Kirill and sign our official petition to adopt him in August 2010. We fell more deeply in love with him. This was our son.

During that time, we found out that Kirill is the first child from his region EVER to be adopted with Down Syndrome. A birth mother keeping her child with Down Syndrome is unheard of in this area of the world. Adoptions of children with Down Syndrome just don’t happen there, these children are literally hidden away from society in orphanages and mental institutions. As our process continued, it became apparent that Kirill would be a pioneer. If our adoption was approved, it would pave the way for other children with special needs to be adopted from this region.

Then, a miracle happened around Christmas and the judge in this region suddenly changed her mind and began processing American adoptions again. We were elated. Could this be the light at the end of a very long tunnel? I was somewhat nervous about Kirill being the first child adopted with Down Syndrome from his region, but our agency was very confident that if we got a court date, our adoption would be approved. In seventeen years, they had never had a case rejected IF the family was issued a court date. We were told not to worry, so I didn’t. After meeting the judge’s requests for several supporting court documents, we were finally granted a court date-March 17, 2011. St. Patrick’s Day…I was thrilled. This would be our new favorite holiday! Our son was coming home!

Our other son, Clayton, who had just turned three when we started this adoption process, has prayed fervently for his brother. He is now almost five. When we told him Kirill was coming home, oh my…we had an excited big brother on our hands! At one point he even went to his room, dumped out his toy cars and divided them into two stacks…one for him and one for Kirill.

Last week, as we sat in the courtroom and suffered through five agonizing hours of difficult questioning, we were not prepared for anything but an approval of our case. Two doctors, two social workers, and the Minister of Children’s Services all made very strong statements on our behalf. They fought for us. Hard.

But when the ruling was read, the judge said, “Your application to adopt is rejected.” The basis given was that Kirill was “not socially adaptable” due to his “medical condition” and he was better off in an institution than in a home with a family. As the judge read her ruling, she stated several times that we were a good family, that we met all the criteria to adopt a child, but that she would not approve our adoption because Kirill has Down Syndrome. She told us that we could adopt another child, because legally our application had no problems according to Russian adoption law. She said she would approve our adoption for a “typical” child, but not this child. Why? The only reason? Because he has Down Syndrome. Even though we were approved by our home study and by the USCIS to adopt a child with special needs. It makes no sense whatsoever. Denying a child a family because he has Down Syndrome is a violation of human rights at its most basic level!

It was like a terrible dream. We were so unprepared for this outcome. As we left the courthouse in a mental fog, the doctors and social workers that had testified came to us and said, “If you appeal, we will fight for you. Appeal. Fight this decision.” Of course we were going to appeal…I could no more walk away from our biological son, Clayton, at this point. Kirill is just as much my son.

So here we are, asking God to move the mountain that is standing between Kirill and us as we appeal to the Supreme Court in Moscow. There are also three other families who are in various stages of adopting children with Down Syndrome from Kirill’s region; one of the families has a court hearing set for next week.

We are hoping that someone will hear our outcry and help us bring our son and these other waiting children home. His adoption will set the precedent for many other children in his region. There are 98 children in his orphanage with special needs alone. It is one of many orphanages in this region that houses children with special needs. This is about more than just one child, the lives of hundreds of children with special need are at stake.Please help us.

Monday, March 14, 2011

We had a great weekend. Rebecca had a volleyball tournament and her team did quite well. She was so pleased- and I was so pleased for her. It's also my anniversary today- hard to believe Troy and I have been married 19 years! Some recent layouts to share with you:

Raspberry Road- Painted Splendor:

Challenge at 9th and Bloom. Mostly made with Damayanti's Desire. Also used

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Meet Andy, a four year old orphan in Russia. His mother refused him when he was born, and he has therefore spent his entire life in an orphanage. Andy does have a special need. He is HIV positive.
The fact is that HIV is NOT highly contagious. And there are NO known cases of the disease being transmitted with normal household contact. Please take a look at some information about the "truth" of living with a child with HIV here:

You can find out more about Andy here. If Andy isn't adopted, his future is very bleak. Although Andy has good medical care now, orphans with HIV often don’t survive when transferred out of the "baby house."

Some institutions for older children do not continue with ARV therapies.If Andy does survive and ages out of the institution, he will likely end up on the streets due to the stigma of his condition.

Andy is just four.

If Andy isn't your child, please consider telling a friend about him. This little guy so needs a home- and lots of love. We pray every night in our family that Andy finds a family and stays healthy.If those prayers could come true- what a miracle it would be!

Friday, February 25, 2011

If you're looking for By Becca's blog train with Ashton's Romance, you've come to the right place!

Ashton's Romance is a gorgeous new kit from By Becca - full of delicate elements, highly textured papers and a complete alphabet. It truly is a BEAUTIFUL kit and I urge you to check it out, along with the CT pages posted here at 9th and Bloom.

Becca is also offering several add on kits in different colors so that you can better match your own wedding colors if you wish! For a PERFECT match, check out Becca's Personal Romance option, where the elements are matched exactly to your wedding colors.

You can also find the amethyst add on here and the champagne add on here. You also don't want to forget to check out Becca'sPersonal Romanceoffer.

Here's a couple of pages I've made with the kit. As you can see, Ashton's Romance works not only for weddings but also for baby pages!

Finally, Amanda has made some AMAZING templates to go with Ashton's Romance! Check them out right here; they are elegant and perfect for use with this kit!

Ok, I've made you read long enough! I know you're looking for the promised freebie which can be downloaded directly here. (Please note that the paper is not included with the cluster.)

Your next stop on the blog train is at Nancy's blog. She has an amazing cluster waiting for you so hurry on over! If you get lost, head on back to Becca's blog to see the full list. Please remember that Becca's CT are in many different time zones so check back if a link is not yet active! All links should be up and running by 9 am EST. (I'm a bit early this morning!)

Before you go, take a quick look at my pages from three newly released kits at 9th and Bloom by Designs by Helly:

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I've been sick this week and so not accomplishing a whole lot. I was home from work yesterday and slept until almost 1 pm!!! Hopefully I will start feeling better soon. :) Too much to do not to feel better!

I have a few layouts from this week to share:

Sweet Maya - made with Smitten by Scrapbookgraphics:

My dear godson, Liam, made with Captain of the Bathtub from AnnaBV Designs:

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Andy was born on February 5, 2006. His mother refused him at birth and the father was unknown. Andy's special need is that he has HIV.

HIV is absolutely manageable these days. As one mom with an HIV positive child has said, she actually goes for days without remembering that her child has HIV. The medication therapy is so good that the RNA levels typically become undetectable- and there is not a SINGLE case of HIV being spread through household contact of family living.

So- what's a prayer warrior anyway?

From Reece's Rainbow: We ask for a full commitment at least until your child finds a committed family!! You are asked to lift that child up in prayer DAILY: that God will provide for their daily needs, that God will prepare a family for that child, and for the work of Reece's Rainbow as a whole. You can follow the progress of your child by watching the website for new matches, and following along with new family FSP profiles and blogs. Any changes in your child's status will be relayed to you promptly! E-mail updates will sent out to each prayer warrior weekly updating you as a group about which children have homes and any pressing prayer needs. They would also be able to request information on another child to pray for them. Weekly inspirational e-mails will also encourage Prayer Warriors to get the word out about RR and the Prayer Warrior ministry to their communities and churches.

I talked with the kids about committing to pray for a child and they were very excited to be involved!

We will be lifting Andy up in our prayers daily from now on- and we ask that you join us too. I will also be advocating for Andy. If you have a facebook page or a blog and would be willing to place his picture on it, please let me know!!!! His family must be out here somewhere!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

I was listening to our new album from Sugarland this weekend, and this song really caught my attention. The lyrics (from Sugarland- the Incredible Machine) are as follows:

All the lonely people cryin'
It could change if we just get started
Light the darkness, light a fire
For the silent and the broken hearted
Won't you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won't you stand up you girls and boys?Won't you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won't you stand up and use your voice?

There's a comfort
There's healing
High above the pain and sorrow
Change is coming
Can you feel it?
Calling us into a new tomorrow

Won't you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won't you stand up you girls and boys?Won't you stand up
Stand Up
Stand Up
Won't you stand up and use your voice?:

When the walls fall all around youWhen your hope has turned to dustLet the sound of love surround youBeat like a heart in each of us

Won't you stand upStand UpStand Up Won't you stand up you girls and boys?

Won't you stand upStand UpStand UpWon't you stand up and use your voice?

And a few layouts from the weekend

From AnnaBV designs- (I'm guesting this month)- a picture of my darling Anne

Rebecca at age 3- from Raspberry Road's Whoo Loves You

And 2 from Obsession from Veronica Spriggs and ViVa Artistry- my sister on her wedding day and me on mine.

To see a world in a grain of sandAnd a heaven in a wild flower,Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,And eternityin an hour.

William BlakeAuguries of Innocence

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear

My hands are small I know
But they're not yours,
they are my own
But they're not yours,
they are my own

And I am never broken.

Jewell

About Me

My name is Jenn and I'm so glad that you have taken a minute to read my blog. I'm a mom of three kids, Rebecca (13), Annie (11) and Nicholas (9). Annie and Nicholas have Type 1 diabetes which plays a big role in our family life. I also work full time as an attorney. My husband of 18 years is a stay-at-home dad, CEO of our household, chef, golfer and many other things. As you can see, I'm addicted to digital scrapping and this blog will primarily highlight my designers and my work. I do plan to include some of my family life from time to time, however.

We're Prayer Warriors for Andy

Please keep this child in your prayers. He's only four and needs a forever family!

Prayers for Carrington

Children Waiting for Families

Meet just a few of the millions of children worldwide waiting for someone to love them.

These children have HIV but are otherwise growing well and developing beautifully. Please click on a picture to find out more about each child. The United States now permits children with HIV to be brought into the country, and there are many resources available to help if you are interested in any of these or other thousands of orphans worldwide with HIV.

Movies I Can't Wait For

The Hobbit

What I'm Reading

My Favorite Music

Loreena McKennitt

Reece's Rainbow

There are children all over the world in need of a family, love, and basic care. Many of these children have disabilities and are placed in mental institutions at the age of 4 or 5. In these places the children rarely live past the age of 10 and most die within the first year. Will you help to spread the word to raise funds and families for orphans with disabilities? Please visit Reece's Rainbow which advocates for orphans with down syndrome as well as other disabilities and see how your donation- however large or small- can help a child find a family. Look a little harder and you just might find the calling for one of them to be your own.

JDRF

The mission of JDRF is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that strikes children and adults suddenly, and can be fatal. Until a cure is found, people with type 1 diabetes have to test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin injections multiple times or use a pump - each day, every day of their lives. And even with that intensive care, insulin is not a cure for diabetes, nor does it prevent its eventual and devastating complications, which may include kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, stroke, and amputation.